Purdue Memorial Union to celebrate holiday season

November 26, 2012

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The holiday season at Purdue
University will be ushered in at noon Monday (Dec. 3) when the 30-foot-tall
Christmas tree arrives at the Memorial Union's Great Hall.

Tim and Kim Van Meter of 2228 Yount St., Lafayette, are
donating this year's tree, a blue spruce. It is one of the largest indoor
Christmas trees in Indiana.

The Purdue Student Union Board will decorate the tree
Monday evening. Several other student organizations will decorate ornaments
that will be placed on the tree. The tree lighting will be at 11:15 a.m. Dec.
4.

The 15th annual Holidays Around the World, arranged by the
student board, will be from 3-6 p.m. Dec. 5 in the Union's North Ballroom.
Several student organizations will feature performances and displays of their
cultures and different holidays. Food items and crafts also will be featured.

"Christmas is represented with the tree, but the
Purdue Student Union Board represents numerous other holidays from many
different cultures," said Whitney Porter, graduate adviser for the board.
"We also feature Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Chinese New Year and many other cultural
celebrations throughout the year in our Holidays Around the World celebration."

In addition, students and Purdue Memorial Union dining
services on Monday (Nov. 26) began building a 12-foot-tall gingerbread house.

As part of the celebration, local musicians and schools
will perform holiday songs in the Great Hall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 4-5.
For a list of performances, visit http://www.union.purdue.edu/PSUB/

A Guess the Lights
Contest also will take place Dec. 4-16. The top three people who come closest
to guessing the correct number of lights on the Christmas tree will receive
prizes from local businesses. Guesses can be submitted in the Great Hall.

Breakfast with Santa will feature a free visit with Santa,
holiday crafts and live music. The event will be from 8-10:30 a.m. Dec. 8 in
the Great Hall. The breakfast in the South Ballroom is $3.50 for pancakes, two
sausage links, and juice or milk. Coffee and hot chocolate will be available
for an additional $1.50. Story time with Mrs. Claus will be at the same time in
Room 118.